scitechcox - 20101110

Introduction:

Activity:

Deadlines:

Introduction:

Simple machines are often put in series with other simple machines to do complex tasks. We call these "compound machines". Our State Standards in Science require us to "Apply physical technologies of structural design, analysis and engineering, ... structural production, ... research and design to real world problems." This project is your chance to show these skills!

Activity:

Your assignment is to design and build a Rube Goldberg Device that sounds an alarm, raises a flag, or achieves some other goal approved by your teacher.
You may work alone or with one other person taking Upper Merion's Science & Technology class.
Your Device should incorporate a variety of simple machines into a compound machine that achieves your goal.

Deadlines:

Design Due: Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Progress Report: Thursday, December 4, 2014
Device Due: Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Grading Rubric:

RG Design

An Average (2.0) RG Design will include

at least three different simple machines that work together, including
at least one force multiplier (where the output force exceeds the input force),
at least one distance multiplier, (where the output distance exceeds the input distance), and
at least one direction changer, (where the direction of the output force is different than input force).
at least one trigger (where potential energy is released by a smaller activation energy).

A Good (3.0) RG Design will include:

at least six simple machines integrated into a compound machine;
accurate labels of the input and output forces for each simple machine;
a detailed description of how the output of one simple machine leads to the input of the next machine.

An Excellent (4.0) RG Design will include:

all six different simple machines integrated into a compound machine.

You can go beyond excellence in many ways, including

at least three instances where stored energy is released during the operation of the machine;
a three dimensional sketch of the operation of the project;
at least one instance of an innovative design component.

RG Device

An Average (2.0) RG Device will:

be no larger than 55 cm x 55 cm x 55 cm;
be made with nothing but junk drawer parts (no building kits or technical assistance from others);
have all simple machines labeled with input and output forces identified.

A Good (3.0) RG Device will:

work with no more than 2 interventions.

An Excellent (4.0) RG Device will:

work without any interventions, on one of the first two attempts.

You can go beyond excellence in many ways, including

at least one instance of a novel use of a common item;
working without any interventions on successive attempts;
interesting themes and decorative elements.

RG Presentation

An Average (2.0) RG Presentation will:

be ready to share with the class no later than 10 minutes after the class begins;
take no less than 1 minute and no more than 2 minutes to introduce;
take no more than 3 minutes from the start of the introduction to end of the final attempt.

A Good (3.0) RG Presentation will:

identify all of the simple machines involved;
explain how the output of each simple machine leads to the input of the next simple machine;
explain how the trigger releases the potential energy.

An Excellent (4.0) RG Presentation will answer one of the following questions:

How did your project change, from its original approved design to its finished product? Why did you change it?
What did you learn about yourself during this project? (Strengths? Weaknesses? Interests?)
What was the most interesting part of your project? Did it receive the attention it deserved?
What was the most frustrating part of your project? How did you deal with the frustration?
If you had a full eight-hour day in a well-equipped workshop, what would you do to make your project better?